> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://george-jen.gitbook.io/data-science-and-apache-spark/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://george-jen.gitbook.io/data-science-and-apache-spark/save-mode.md). # Save Mode Save operations can optionally take a SaveMode, that specifies how to handle existing data if present. It is important to realize that these save modes do not utilize any locking and are not atomic. Additionally, when performing an Overwrite, the data will be deleted before writing out the new data. #### SaveMode.ErrorIfExists (default) When saving a DataFrame to a data source, if data already exists, an exception is expected to be thrown. #### SaveMode.Append When saving a DataFrame to a data source, if data/table already exists, contents of the DataFrame are expected to be appended to existing data. #### SaveMode.Overwrite Overwrite mode means that when saving a DataFrame to a data source, if data/table already exists, existing data is expected to be overwritten by the contents of the DataFrame. #### SaveMode.Ignore Ignore mode means that when saving a DataFrame to a data source, if data already exists, the save operation is expected not to save the contents of the DataFrame and not to change the existing data. This is similar to a CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS in SQL. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://george-jen.gitbook.io/data-science-and-apache-spark/save-mode.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.